Upon my most recent NGE re-watch, I'm forced to conclude a fundamental truth about Pen-Pen's nature: Namely, that those who have seen human death are unable to see or interact with Pen-Pen.

Asuka never seems to acknowledge Pen-Pen at all - or even to notice him.

After Shinji kills Kaworu, he's never seen to interact with Pen-Pen again - but sees him during Instrumentality.

Same for after Misato kills the JSSDF personnel; she clearly remembers the existence of Pen-Pen, but we never see them together again, due to Misato's subsequent death and the end of the world. Akira died moments after Misato's rescue pod sealed, so she can't be said to have seen him die.

This is all clearly leading up to a larger point: we never see someone who has been confirmed to see human death interact with that lovable hot-spring penguin.

AdamMalkobitch wrote:Was it ever stated in Neon Genesis that he had forgotten he was a witness? I know in New Theatrical, during the shogi scene, Fuyutsuki mentions that Shinji's "memories have since been erased"

No way, that's some special bullshit concocted for the New Theatrical. Or not, we'll see where they go with it.

Bryan wrote:No way, that's some special bullshit concocted for the New Theatrical. Or not, we'll see where they go with it.

That's what I thought. Still, it would make sense for him to have forgotten, as the only thing I remember from when I was four was going to some Thomas the Tank Engine thing while on vacation. I don't even remember something important like my parents telling me that my mother was pregnant with my sister. Kids have a strangely selective memory, and it wouldn't be far-fetched to assume that his mind hid that memory away in order to prevent further psychological damage, similar to what happened when Asuka discovered her mother's hanging body, only for that horrific memory to be forced to the surface later by Arael (or Armisael, I always get the two confused).

I've reached a point where I just generally don't give a fuck anymore. In a good way.

Storm wrote:Upon my most recent NGE re-watch, I'm forced to conclude a fundamental truth about Pen-Pen's nature: Namely, that those who have seen human death are unable to see or interact with Pen-Pen.

Asuka never seems to acknowledge Pen-Pen at all - or even to notice him.

After Shinji kills Kaworu, he's never seen to interact with Pen-Pen again - but sees him during Instrumentality.

Same for after Misato kills the JSSDF personnel; she clearly remembers the existence of Pen-Pen, but we never see them together again, due to Misato's subsequent death and the end of the world. Akira died moments after Misato's rescue pod sealed, so she can't be said to have seen him die.

This is all clearly leading up to a larger point: we never see someone who has been confirmed to see human death interact with that lovable hot-spring penguin.

After Unit 00's self-destruction (Ep. 23), Misato deemed Tyoko-III to be too dangerous for Pen-pen to live and sent him to stary with Hikari's family. Kaworu showed up an episode after that.

mys_721tx wrote:After Unit 00's self-destruction (Ep. 23), Misato deemed Tyoko-III to be too dangerous for Pen-pen to live and sent him to stary with Hikari's family. Kaworu showed up an episode after that.

I guess that puts an end to this theory. Quite a shame, I kinda liked the idea.

Why don't you save the Princess next time instead of being such a baby? She would love it and maybe you could get a sweet kiss. ~ sadly not Mari in Q (Joseki)